Skip to content

Session Expired

Your session has expired. Please sign in again to continue where you left off.

Sign In Again

IA SSB3039: A bill for an act relating to the use of synthetic media in campaign materials, and making penalties applicable.

In Committee Iowa · 2025–2026 session

Last verified Oct 16, 2026 · official bill text

SSB3039 · where it stands

1 of 5 steps complete
  1. Introduced In committee
  2. Passed first chamber
  3. Passed both chambers
  4. Enacted
  5. Effective
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Iowa's SSB 3039 (proposed by the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board) would require published campaign material containing synthetic media (realistic but false manipulated images, audio or video) to prominently include the words "THIS CONTENT GENERATED USING SYNTHETIC MEDIA." Senate subcommittee recommended amendment and passage January 21, 2026. The House counterpart HF 2609 has passed the House.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None yet: the bill has not been enacted. If enacted, campaigns and others paying for published political material with synthetic media would need to add the disclosure label.

Key provisions

  1. New Code section 68A.407: published material (as defined in 68A.405) containing synthetic media must prominently include the words "THIS CONTENT GENERATED USING SYNTHETIC MEDIA."
  2. Synthetic media is an image, audio or video recording intentionally manipulated with digital technology to be realistic but false; text generation, grammar correction, spelling checks and similar edits are excluded.
  3. The person responsible has sole responsibility and liability for including the disclosure.
  4. The disclosure does not preclude other legal remedies; the board must adopt rules under chapter 17A.
  5. The explanation says a willful violation is a serious misdemeanor; no effective date is stated.
  6. Status: introduced and referred to State Government January 15, 2026; subcommittee recommended amendment and passage January 21, 2026.

Latest legislative action

Jan 21, 2026. Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.

Sponsors

NameRole
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI in Political Advertising

Affected industries

MediaGovernment

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in Iowa

All Iowa bills →
HF2609 A bill for an act relating to the use of synthetic media in campaign materials, SF2166 A bill for an act relating to the publication of electioneering communications c SF2243 An Act relating to sexual exploitation of a minor by the creation, adaptation, o HF2240 An Act relating to harassment by the dissemination, publishing, distribution, or HF2082 A bill for an act relating to restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence HSB294 A bill for an act relating to artificial intelligence, including the use of arti

Same topic in other states

Indiana HB1133 Use of digitally altered media in elections Idaho H0664 ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS – Freedom From AI-Rigged (FAIR) Elections Act: rel Texas SB751 Relating to the creation of a criminal offense for fabricating a deceptive video Rhode Island H5872 Relating to Elections -- Deceptive and Fraudulent Synthetic Media in Election Co California AB686 Elections: deceptive audio or visual media. New York S9678 Relates to requiring certain notice and disclosure regarding materially deceptiv